Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 5)

Future Unreal Conditional

FORM 1 (MOST COMMON FORM)

[If ... SIMPLE PAST ..., ... would + VERB ... ]

or

[... would + VERB ... if ... SIMPLE PAST ...]

Notice the form looks the same as Present Unreal Conditional.

USE

The Future Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the future. It is not as common as the Future Real Conditional because most English speakers leave open the possibility that anything MIGHT happen in the future. It is only used when a speaker needs to emphasize that something is impossible.

EXAMPLES:

If I had a day off from work next week, I would go to the beach.

(I don't have a day off from work)

I am busy next week. If I had time, I would come to your party.

(I can't come)

Jerry would help me with my homework tomorrow if he didn't have to work.

(He does have to work tomorrow)

FORM 2 (COMMON)

[If ... were VERB+ing ..., ... would be + VERB+ing ... ]

or

[... would be + VERB+ing ... if ... were VERB+ing ...]

USE

Form 2 of the Future Unreal Conditional is also used to talk about imaginary situations in the future. Native speakers use this form rather than Form 1 to emphasize that the Conditional form is a plan in the same way Present Continuous is used to indicate a plan in the future. To learn more about Present Continuous, visit Present Continuous page. Also notice in the examples below that this form can be used in the “If” Clause, the Result, or both parts of the sentence.

EXAMPLES:

If I were going to Fiji next week, I would be taking my scuba diving gear with me. IN IF CLAUSE AND RESULT

(I am not going to go to Fiji and I am not going to take my scuba gear with me)

If I were not visiting my grandmother tomorrow, I would help you study. IF CLAUSE

(I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow)

I am busy next week. If I had time, I would be coming to your party. RESULT

(I am not going to come to your party)

FORM 3 (COMMON)

[If ... were going to VERB ..., ... would be + VERB+ing ... ]

or

[... would be + VERB+ing ... if ... were going to + VERB ...]

USE

Form 3 of the Future Unreal Conditional is also used to talk about imaginary situations in the future. Native speakers use this form rather than Form 1 to emphasize that the Conditional form is a plan or prediction in the same way “Going To” is used to indicate a plan or prediction. To learn more about Going To, visit Simple Future Page. In many sentences, Form 2 and Form 3 are interchangeable. Also notice in the examples below that this form can be used in the If Clause, the Result, or both parts of the sentence.

NOTICE Form 3 is only different from Form 2 in the "If" Clause.

EXAMPLES:

If I were going to go to Fiji next week, I would be taking my scuba diving gear with me. IN IF CLAUSE AND RESULT

(I am not going to go to Fiji and I am not going to take my scuba gear with me)

If I were not going to visit my grandmother tomorrow, I would help you study. IF CLAUSE

(I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow)

I am busy next week. If I had time, I would be coming to your party. RESULT

(I am not going to come to your party)

EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs

There are some special Conditional forms for modal verbs in English:

would + can = could

would + shall = should

would + may = might

The words “can,” “shall” and “may” must be used in these special forms; they cannot be used with “would.”

EXAMPLES:

If I went to Egypt next year, I would can learn Arabic. Unfortunately, that's not possible. NOT CORRECT

If I went to Egypt next year, I could learn Arabic. Unfortunately, that's not possible. CORRECT

The words “could,” should,” “might” and “ought to” include conditional, so you cannot combine them with “would.”

EXAMPLES:

If I didn't have to work tonight, I would could go to the fitness center. NOT CORRECT

If I didn't have to work tonight, I could go to the fitness center. CORRECT

IMPORTANT Only use “If”

Only the word “if” is used with the Past Unreal Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. “When” cannot be used.

EXAMPLES:

I would buy that computer tomorrow when it were cheaper. NOT CORRECT

I would buy that computer tomorrow if it were cheaper. CORRECT